Page 205 of Without Fault

“Come on, princess.” Sire holds his hand out to her, and I quickly grab my camera and turn it to her.

“Come to mommy.” Vidia gets on the floor and holds a hand out.

“No, come to daddy.”

I let out a soft laugh as they shove each other for their daughter's attention, but when she takes her first step, they go still, along with everyone else.

“Oh my goodness!” I quickly cover my mouth and rock Jerzi in my arms when she cries again.

“Here, beloved, let me take her.” Liam kisses my cheek, and I smile up at him as he takes the baby and gives her a bottle.

When I glance back at my niece, she laughs softly before taking another step to her parents. They keep calling her while fighting for who she’ll go to, and Mariana wobbles closer.

We all watch in shock as she takes her first steps all the way into Sire’s arms. “Good job, baby!” He scoops her into her arms and we all cheer. Vidia looks happy butnotabout who she chose.

“You cheated.”

I break into a laugh at how competitive she is, and my brother smiles down at his wife before kissing his daughter. “Howdid I cheat, Vid? She–”

“That’s not fair. Give me my kid.”

“You’re such a sore loser!”

“Giveme her.”

The entire room is full of laughter as Sire walks away in a hurry, and Vidia quite literally tries to fight him for her baby.

I notice Liam shutting the oven, and when he turns to me, he gives me a soft nod. I feel my excitement grow as I set up my camera and sit at the kitchen counter with Liam as he feeds the baby.

August is looking through our cabinets, and I smile to myself. “August, can you check what’s in the oven?”

He nods before turning to the oven. He looks confused at first glance, and takes the bun out. “It’s just bread.”

I laugh softly and cover my face because I probably should’ve told someone else but it’ll be fun to watch him keep guessing.

“Where was it, though?”

He looks confused as he gestures to the oven. “Sage, you just saw me take it out of the oven.” He laughs softly before closing the oven and putting the bread aside. I look over at Liam for help.

He shakes his head before turning to my twin. “August, this is a guessing game.”

August turns back to us, and he immediately looks excited. “Okay, bread and an oven.” He looks over at the bread again before glancing at the oven, probably for another hint.

I laugh softly, and Liam shakes his head before smiling down at his daughter as if everyone else in the room doesn’t exist. I kiss the side of his face before turning around.

“Sire.”

He and Vidia are taking pictures together in my mirror with their baby, but they both turn to me.

“Can you guys come help August with this guessing game we’re playing?”

August says he doesn’t need help, although he’s been whispering to Hazel and Lisette for help.

Sire and Vidia walk over and look between the bun and August.

“I think I need a hint.” August looks over at us but we don’t offer any help so he turns to our brother. “Look–” He hands him the bun. “–it was in the oven.”

I look between all of them, and when Vidia’s eyes light up, I bring a finger to my mouth, and she nods discreetly before whispering to Hazel in Spanish. When she looks over at me, her eyes cut down to my stomach, and I nod, confirming their thoughts.

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